Pokedex Number: 257
Type: Fire/Fighting
Stats: 80/120/70/110/70/80
Mega Evolution Stats: 80/160/80/130/80/100
Abilities: Blaze, Speed Boost (DW and Mega)
Oh, Blaziken. Banished to Ubers last gen for its powerful attacks and ability, this gen might be a little kinder to it by being a little less kind. With fairies resisting its signature move, a few new mons like Azumarill and Dragalga who resist its STAB combo, a more defensive focus this gen, and the weather nerf, Blaziken doesn't seem so broken anymore. Because of this, my Blaziken sets will apply to both OU and Ubers.
Blaziken did make some gains this gen, though. Thanks to new breeding mechanics, both normal and Mega Blaziken can baton pass speed boosts. Oh yeah, it gets a mega evolution too, that gives Blaziken the speed and lasting power it needs to maximize its potential. Whether in OU or Ubers, Blaziken is set to be a powerful force in the metagame.
The Destroyer
Adamant/Jolly Nature
252 ATK 252 Speed 4 HP
High Jump Kick
Flare Blitz
Swords Dance
Thunderpunch/Stone Edge/Earthquake/Protect
Item: Blazikenite/Life Orb
This is the classic set. You come in on something that can't hurt you, go Mega and Swords Dance on the switch, and proceed to destroy everything with HJK and Flare Blitz. To stay around longer, you're going to want to use HJK as your default move. The accuracy is shaky, but without Flare Blitz recoil you can survive priority moves like Arceus' unboosted extreme speed and OHKO back. The last slot is really up to personal preference and what you need to hit. Thunderpunch is for bulky waters like Azumarill and Slowbro, Stone Edge is for flyers like Salamence and Dragonite that Thunderpunch wouldn't get, and Earthquake is for Aegislash and Dragalga should they become prevalent in Blaziken's metagame. The new generation gave Blaziken some 4MSS, so pick one coverage move and build your team to handle the others.
If you're not dead-set on using another mega like Mawile or Aggron, you want to use the Blazikenite, an Adamant nature, and a coverage move. If your team relies on using another Mega, use Life Orb and Jolly nature/protect to make up for the lost speed. While LO Blaziken needs jolly/protect to outspeed scarfed threats at +1 speed, Mega Blaziken has 100 base speed and can afford to be Adamant. It should be noted that in addition to the extra defenses and lack of LO recoil you get with MegaBlaziken, Adamant MegaBlaziken slightly outdamages LO Jolly Blaziken. You can run this set efficiently without Mega Evolving, but the mega is preferable.
Passing the Blaze
Adamant/Jolly Nature
252 ATK 252 Speed 4 HP
High Jump Kick
Flare Blitz
Baton Pass
Swords Dance/Protect
Item: Blazikenite/Life Orb
Almost the same set as before, only this one's not so much about sweeping solo as it is about Baton Passing attack and speed boosts when it's done dealing the hurt. Again, Blazikenite is preferable, but non-mega is worth another glance here, because not only is Baton Pass + Speed Boost legal thanks to new breeding mechanics, there exists the possibility that the Pokemon you want to pass to has a Mega, like Mewtwo X/Charizard X, Lucario, or Mawile.
Overall Opinion
I'm really excited to use (Mega) Blaziken this gen, either in OU or in Ubers. It's the same speed boosting menace we all know, except in a metagame with Aegislash and Fairies instead of permanent sun.
Type: Fire/Fighting
Stats: 80/120/70/110/70/80
Mega Evolution Stats: 80/160/80/130/80/100
Abilities: Blaze, Speed Boost (DW and Mega)
Oh, Blaziken. Banished to Ubers last gen for its powerful attacks and ability, this gen might be a little kinder to it by being a little less kind. With fairies resisting its signature move, a few new mons like Azumarill and Dragalga who resist its STAB combo, a more defensive focus this gen, and the weather nerf, Blaziken doesn't seem so broken anymore. Because of this, my Blaziken sets will apply to both OU and Ubers.
Blaziken did make some gains this gen, though. Thanks to new breeding mechanics, both normal and Mega Blaziken can baton pass speed boosts. Oh yeah, it gets a mega evolution too, that gives Blaziken the speed and lasting power it needs to maximize its potential. Whether in OU or Ubers, Blaziken is set to be a powerful force in the metagame.
The Destroyer
Adamant/Jolly Nature
252 ATK 252 Speed 4 HP
High Jump Kick
Flare Blitz
Swords Dance
Thunderpunch/Stone Edge/Earthquake/Protect
Item: Blazikenite/Life Orb
This is the classic set. You come in on something that can't hurt you, go Mega and Swords Dance on the switch, and proceed to destroy everything with HJK and Flare Blitz. To stay around longer, you're going to want to use HJK as your default move. The accuracy is shaky, but without Flare Blitz recoil you can survive priority moves like Arceus' unboosted extreme speed and OHKO back. The last slot is really up to personal preference and what you need to hit. Thunderpunch is for bulky waters like Azumarill and Slowbro, Stone Edge is for flyers like Salamence and Dragonite that Thunderpunch wouldn't get, and Earthquake is for Aegislash and Dragalga should they become prevalent in Blaziken's metagame. The new generation gave Blaziken some 4MSS, so pick one coverage move and build your team to handle the others.
If you're not dead-set on using another mega like Mawile or Aggron, you want to use the Blazikenite, an Adamant nature, and a coverage move. If your team relies on using another Mega, use Life Orb and Jolly nature/protect to make up for the lost speed. While LO Blaziken needs jolly/protect to outspeed scarfed threats at +1 speed, Mega Blaziken has 100 base speed and can afford to be Adamant. It should be noted that in addition to the extra defenses and lack of LO recoil you get with MegaBlaziken, Adamant MegaBlaziken slightly outdamages LO Jolly Blaziken. You can run this set efficiently without Mega Evolving, but the mega is preferable.
Passing the Blaze
Adamant/Jolly Nature
252 ATK 252 Speed 4 HP
High Jump Kick
Flare Blitz
Baton Pass
Swords Dance/Protect
Item: Blazikenite/Life Orb
Almost the same set as before, only this one's not so much about sweeping solo as it is about Baton Passing attack and speed boosts when it's done dealing the hurt. Again, Blazikenite is preferable, but non-mega is worth another glance here, because not only is Baton Pass + Speed Boost legal thanks to new breeding mechanics, there exists the possibility that the Pokemon you want to pass to has a Mega, like Mewtwo X/Charizard X, Lucario, or Mawile.
Overall Opinion
I'm really excited to use (Mega) Blaziken this gen, either in OU or in Ubers. It's the same speed boosting menace we all know, except in a metagame with Aegislash and Fairies instead of permanent sun.